RELEASE – Darren Taylor, a Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member, is a graduate of Willow Springs High School and Missouri State University. He began his coaching career at Hartville High School as an assistant coach to Denny Hunt. The following season, he was named Head Coach and began a ten-year stellar stint with the Eagles filled with accolades. Coach Taylor then moved to Reeds Spring for one season and Mansfield for another before landing his current position at Greenwood Laboratory School in 2003. During his time at Greenwood, his teams have won six District Championships, made two quarterfinalist appearances, won two Blue and Gold Championships, and claimed a state championship in 2019. Coach Taylor has amassed 663 career wins and was named the Jack Roberts Memorial Coach of the Year in Springfield in 2015. He has coached twelve All-State players and fourteen who have moved on to compete at the collegiate level. Coach Taylor has also served as the Athletic Director for twenty-two years at Greenwood. He and his wife, Kathyrn, have two daughters, Blayke and Paige, and son-in-law Jack Morris.
Coach Taylor has been honored to be a part of the coaching world throughout his career. “I have been so fortunate to do something I love for so long. Thank you to the hundreds of players who have come through my programs. They dedicated countless hours in the gym to work hard, improve themselves, and help build great teams. Thank you to the Hartville, Reeds Spring and Mansfield communities for allowing me to be a part of their programs. Spending the past 22 years as a part of the Greenwood family has been a very special coaching and teaching experience. Thank you to the coaches I have worked with in my own programs and in the basketball community. The support has been tremendous. Thank you to the referees that have tolerated my criticism on the court and friendship after the game. And thank you to my family for traveling thousands of miles, sat through hundreds of games, and listened to hours of game recaps. Through all of my years, communities, coaches, referees, players, and students, I have made memories that I will treasure for a lifetime.”
Greenwood Director Dr. Ron Snodgrass states, “Coach Taylor has been an integral part of our institution for over two decades. He has had a tremendous impact on our students and athletes. His knowledge and work have provided a positive experience for our students. We appreciate his dedication to Greenwood and value his commitment to always doing things the right way and caring about our athletes.”
A search for his replacement will begin soon.
